In 1949, China had 540 million people. By the end of last year, the population had more than doubled to 1.248 billion.
The average life span has doubled from 35 years in 1949 to nearly 71 years now. Infant mortality has dropped from 2025 per cent to 3.3 per cent.
In 1949, 60 per cent were illiterate. Now, 12 per cent are.
By the beginning of 1998, China had diplomatic relations with 161 countries. By the end of 1949, only 10 countries, all communist, recognised the new People's Republic. Communist China was not allowed into the United Nations until 1971.
The average annual income of a Chinese farmer has risen to £163 from £6 in 1949. City dwellers on average earn more than twice as much: £410 a year.
In 1998, 42 million people lived in dire poverty, down from 250 million when economic reforms began 20 years ago.
Foreign trade has soared from £706 million in 1950 to £202 billion.
In 1998, there were 105 colour TVs for every 100 urban families, 91 washing machines, 76 telephones and four computers.
Sources: the state-run Xinhua News Agency, the Encyclopedia of New China, China: Facts and Figures, 1999. AP